Electrical grounding systems

ABSTRACT

An electrical grounding system can include an electrically conductive column configured for communication with a fault current source and a carbon fiber layer in conductive relationship with at least a portion of the electrically conductive column. The system can also include a salt replenishment tube configured for attachment to a ground member, the salt replenishment tube having a tube wall defining a weep hole. The system can further include electrolytic fill disposed within a column chamber at least partially-defined by the electrically-conductive column, the electrolytic fill comprising a material configured to conduct at least a portion of any fault current received by the ground member radially outwardly from the ground member. The system can further include a bus bar comprising electrically-interconnected bus bar connectors, wherein the bus bar electrically communicates with the electrically conductive column and with the fault current source.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/466,687, filed Mar. 3, 2017, the disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to electrical grounding systems. Morespecifically, this disclosure relates to improvements in systemsemploying ground electrodes.

BACKGROUND

A “ground” is an electrical connection between a circuit or equipmentand the earth or a large conducting body that serves in place of theearth. “Grounding” an electrical system is installing a ground in theelectrical system. The safe return of errant current (also called “faultcurrent”) to the earth without damage to life or devices is an importantconcern of businesses, utilities, and homeowners. When a ground fails,valuable assets can be destroyed and people can be injured or killed. Inthe United States, the National Electric Code (NEC) requires aprotective ground to prevent voltage build-up from a lightning strike,short in a circuit path, or insulation failure that would otherwisecause electrical shock, injury, or death. In an industrial setting, theabsence of a very low-resistance grounding path can cause a build-up ofstatic electricity which, in turn, can introduce noise intocommunication and transmission circuits and can present a danger whenhandling flammable materials. Grounds protect electrical equipment orsystems from reaching excessive voltage by providing an alternate pathfor current to travel (other than through an electrical circuit in theequipment). Grounding is also valuable for preventing electric shockhazards. A neutral wire connecting electrical equipment to a groundsystem of a structure prevents development of large voltage differencesbetween the neutral line and a ground line leading from the ground pinof a plug to the chassis of the equipment.

Ground rods, also known as ground electrodes, are typical mechanisms forestablishing a ground connection to earth. Rods constructed of copper oriron, each typically having an 8-foot length, are driven into the groundand then electrically connected to a source of the current that issought to be grounded (fault current source). Such rods cannot be usedin all types of terrain because in some areas, the soil depth is muchless than 8 feet, so in such areas horizontal grounding grids(comprising ground rods buried horizontally) are used to cover largeareas. Such grounding grids are less reliable than ground rods becausewhen a grounding element such as a grid or rod is buried horizontally,almost half of the grounding capacity is wasted, as the surface area ofthe element facing upwardly in the soil will only be able to affect theconductivity of the little soil that is above the buried element.Another drawback of existing systems concerns variances in soilmoisture. Ground rods typically need to interact with some moisture tobe effective. However, some soils can be situated in arid environments,or areas experiencing a drought, and in those cases, ground rods aretypically not able to function as intended. Furthermore, different siteshave different compositions as well as different soil depths. Forexample, soil near a coastline can have brackish water in it, which canconduct current at a very low resistance (between one and two ohms),whereas only around 10 miles inland, the soil often lacks brackish waterand the resistance can radically increase to as much as several hundredohms. Such differing conditions have often caused each installation of agrounding system to be specifically designed for each site, with littleor no uniformity between installations at different sites.

SUMMARY

It is to be understood that this summary is not an extensive overview ofthe disclosure. This summary is exemplary and not restrictive, and it isintended to neither identify key or critical elements of the disclosurenor delineate the scope thereof. The sole purpose of this summary is toexplain and exemplify certain concepts of the disclosure as anintroduction to the following complete and extensive detaileddescription.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, an electrical grounding systemcomprises an electrically conductive column configured for communicationwith a fault current source and a carbon fiber layer in conductiverelationship with at least a portion of the electrically conductivecolumn. The electrically conductive column has an exterior surface, across-section of the electrically conductive column defining a perimeterof the exterior surface, and the carbon fiber layer can surround theperimeter. The electrical grounding system can further comprise a saltreplenishment tube configured for attachment to a ground member, thesalt replenishment tube having a tube wall defining an interior surfaceand an exterior surface, the interior surface of the tube wall defininga tube chamber, wherein the tube wall defines a weep hole extending fromthe exterior surface of the tube wall, through the tube wall, and intothe tube chamber. Electrolytic salt can be disposed within the tubechamber, wherein the weep hole is configured to provide a passageway forthe electrolytic salt, during use of the system, to leach from the tubechamber and into a column chamber at least partially-defined by theelectrically conductive column.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of installing anelectrical grounding system at a site can comprise the steps ofinserting a hollow electrode into a hole formed into native soil at thesite, the hollow electrode comprising an electrically conductive tubeconfigured for communication with a fault current source, and a carbonfiber layer in conductive relationship with at least a portion of theelectrically conductive tube; positioning the hollow electrode in thehole circumferentially around a ground member driven into native soil ata bottom of the hole; and electrically interconnecting the ground memberand the hollow electrode.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, an electrical groundingsystem kit can comprise a hollow electrode comprising an electricallyconductive tube configured for communication with a fault currentsource, and a carbon fiber layer assembled onto at least a portion ofthe electrically conductive tube; and a bus bar comprising at least twobus bar connectors electrically interconnected to one another. The kitcan further comprise a salt replenishment tube assembly positionedinside the hollow electrode during shipment of the electrical groundingsystem kit, the salt replenishment tube assembly comprising a saltreplenishment tube having opposed ends and a tube wall defining aninterior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surface defininga tube chamber, wherein the tube wall defines a weep hole extending fromthe exterior surface of the tube wall, through the tube wall, and intothe tube chamber; electrolytic salt disposed within the tube chamber; acap received on each end of the salt replenishment tube to retain theelectrolytic salt within the tube chamber; and water-soluble tape placedover the weep hole, the water-soluble tape configured to prevent escapeof the electrolytic salt out of the tube chamber through the weep holeduring shipment; whereby the salt replenishment tube assembly isconfigured such that, during use of the electrical grounding system, thewater-soluble tape dissolves over time to allow the electrolytic salt toleach from the tube chamber, through the weep hole, and into spaceexternal to the salt replenishment tube.

Various implementations described in the present disclosure can compriseadditional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which may notnecessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detaileddescription and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all suchsystems, methods, features, and advantages be included within thepresent disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims. Thefeatures and advantages of such implementations can be realized andobtained by means of the systems, methods, features particularly pointedout in the appended claims. These and other features will become morefully apparent from the following description and appended claims, orcan be learned by the practice of such exemplary implementations as setforth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and components of the following figures are illustrated toemphasize the general principles of the present disclosure.Corresponding features and components throughout the figures can bedesignated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistencyand clarity.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electrical grounding networkcomprising spaced electrical grounding systems in accordance with anaspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the example installation depicted in FIG. 1,showing three electrical grounding assemblies arranged in a triangle(delta) formation.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a single, partially-completed electrodesubassembly according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of components of the electrode subassemblyillustrated in FIG. 3, shown in exploded relation to one another and toa roll of carbon fiber fabric.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a grounding system electrode accordingto another aspect of the present disclosure, with two electricallyconductive columns shown joined end-to-end.

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional detail of the junction between the twoelectrically conductive columns taken from detail 5B in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C is a perspective view of a grounding system electrode accordingto another aspect of the present disclosure, illustrating a singlecontinuous electrically conductive column with two pieces of carbonfiber fabric wrapped around different portions of the column.

FIG. 5D is a perspective view of a grounding system electrode accordingto another aspect of the present disclosure, constructed identically tothe electrode of FIG. 5C, except adding the feature of a hole configuredto admit electrolytic fill in a column chamber when the electrode isinstalled at a site in a horizontal orientation.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a grounding system electrode accordingto another aspect of the present disclosure, with two electricallyconductive columns shown interconnected by cable lugs and cable members.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate magnifications of the carbon fiber fabricillustrated in, for example, FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a salt replenishment tube and an upperportion of a ground rod, both used in an electrical grounding systemaccording to various aspects of the present disclosure, strapped to oneanother with fasteners such as zip ties.

FIG. 9 is a detail of lead connections at an upper end of a groundingsystem electrode according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a top view of an installed electrical grounding system, priorto placement of an enclosure atop the system, with a bus bar andassociated wiring connections of FIG. 9 shown in perspective.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an enclosure for an electricalgrounding system according to various aspects of the present disclosure,also depicting the bus bar of FIG. 10 attached to an inner surface ofthe enclosure.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are side and top perspective views, respectively, ofthe bus bar illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are perspective views of installation sleevesconstructed according to different aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14A is a sectional view of an installed electrical grounding systemaccording to an aspect of the present disclosure inserted within a holeformed in native soil at a grounding site, prior to placement of anenclosure atop the system, and depicting use of an installation sleevefor one type of native soil.

FIG. 14B is a sectional view of the installed electrical groundingsystem depicted in FIG. 14A, but showing the system fully installed,with placement of an enclosure atop the system following completeremoval of the installation sleeve.

FIG. 14C is a sectional view of a fully-installed installed electricalgrounding system according to an aspect of the present disclosure, butshowing a different type of native soil for which an installation sleevewas not used.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating components that can be soldtogether as a kit, along with certain other components illustrated inpreceding figures, according to another aspect of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view illustrating an electrical groundingelectrode according to another aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an electrode assembly according toanother aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an electrode assembly according to yetanother aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19A is a perspective view of an installation sleeve sectionconstructed of electrolytic material according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure, for use with electrical grounding assemblies of thetype illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18.

FIG. 19B is a perspective view of an installation sleeve sectionconstructed of electrolytic material according to another aspect of thepresent disclosure, also for use with electrical grounding assemblies ofthe type illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an example of an installed electricalgrounding system inserted within a hole formed in soil, shown in asectional view, the system comprising the electrode assembly of FIG. 17and installation sleeve sections of the type illustrated in FIG. 19A.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an electrical grounding systemaccording to another aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure can be understood more readily by reference tothe following detailed description, examples, drawings, and claims, andtheir previous and following description. However, before the presentdevices, systems, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is tobe understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specificdevices, systems, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified,as such can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that theterminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularaspects only and is not intended to be limiting.

The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of thepresent devices, systems, and/or methods in their best, currently knownaspect. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognizeand appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspectsdescribed herein, while still obtaining the beneficial results of thepresent disclosure. It will also be apparent that some of the desiredbenefits of the present disclosure can be obtained by selecting some ofthe features of the present disclosure without utilizing other features.Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that manymodifications and adaptations to the present disclosure are possible andcan even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of thepresent disclosure. Thus, the following description is provided asillustrative of the principles of the present disclosure and not inlimitation thereof.

As used throughout, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” includeplural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus,for example, reference to a quantity of one of a particular element cancomprise two or more such elements unless the context indicatesotherwise.

Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value,and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range isexpressed, another aspect comprises from the one particular value and/orto the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed asapproximations, by use of the antecedent “about” or substantially,” itwill be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. Itwill be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges aresignificant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently ofthe other endpoint.

For purposes of the present disclosure, a material property or dimensionmeasuring about X or substantially X on a particular measurement scalemeasures within a range between X plus an industry-standard uppertolerance for the specified measurement and X minus an industry-standardlower tolerance for the specified measurement. Because tolerances canvary between different materials, processes and between differentmodels, the tolerance for a particular measurement of a particularcomponent can fall within a range of tolerances.

As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that thesubsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, andthat the description comprises instances where said event orcircumstance occurs and instances where it does not.

The word “or” as used herein means any one member of a particular listand also comprises any combination of members of that list.

To simplify the description of various elements disclosed herein, theconventions of “top,” “bottom,” “side,” “upper,” “lower,” “horizontal,”and/or “vertical” may be referenced. Unless stated otherwise, “top”describes that side of the system or component that is facing upward and“bottom” is that side of the system or component that is opposite ordistal the top of the system or component and is facing downward. Unlessstated otherwise, “side” describes that an end or direction of thesystem or component facing in horizontal direction. “Horizontal” or“horizontal orientation” describes that which is in a plane aligned withthe horizon. “Vertical” or “vertical orientation” describes that whichis in a plane that is angled at 90 degrees to the horizontal.

Disclosed is an electrical grounding system designed to overcome thedrawbacks discussed above and to provide a system that achieves resultssuperior to those of conventional grounding systems, and at reducedcost. Implementations of the disclosed electrical grounding systemprovide uniformity of grounding system components, simplifying groundinginstallations. The enhanced performance of the disclosed system isaccomplished with less electrically conductive material (such as copper)than that used in conventional grounding networks. Thus, the disclosedsystem provides enhanced performance at less cost, both in terms oflabor and materials. These and other benefits are attendant to theelectrical grounding system disclosed herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates a grounding site at which an electrical groundingnetwork 10 has been installed. Network 10 can comprise a pair ofelectrical grounding systems 12, 14 shown only generally as outlines,with structural details of the systems 12, 14 to be discussed herein.Network 10 could include more than two electrical grounding systems oronly one such system, depending, for example, on grounding requirementsfor the site. Each electrical grounding system 12, 14 can be constructedidentically according to any of the aspects of the present disclosure,to be discussed in detail herein. The systems 12, 14 are separated fromone another by a predetermined distance “d,” which can be dictated byapplicable codes. For example, denoting the length of system 12 as L,the minimum distance “d” can be required to be of magnitude 2L in someaspects. Ground wires 49,51,53 can originate at a structure orelectrical system (not shown) for which grounding is desired and areshown entering a securable enclosure such as a meter box 50. Inside themeter box 50, the ground wires 49,51,53 can be connected with suitablelugs 52 to a meter box bus bar 54, which can be constructed of a solidcopper bar in various aspects. The ground wires 49,51,53 represent wiresthat ground electrical networks separate from the grounding network 10;for example, one of the ground wires 49 can ground a home entertainmentsystem, while another ground wire 51 can ground one or more homeappliances. Ground wire 53 is shown being attached via a mechanicalattachment 48 to a conventional ground rod 47 as a representativeexample of a conventional grounding network component distinct fromgrounding network 10. The connection of the ground wires 49,51,53 to themeter box bus bar 54 can alternatively be accomplished with soldering orwelding or any other desired method in other aspects. Also connected tothe meter box bus bar 54 is stranded wire 56, which represents a groundwire for a separate fault current source, symbolically represented at11. Fault current source 11 can be an active circuit with electricalcurrent running through it, such as a circuit of another electricalsystem inside the structure, or it can be lightning that strikes thestructure or native soil in the vicinity of the structure that causes asufficiently strong surge in the electrical system of the structure totransmit current into stranded wire 56, which can be AWG (American WireGauge) #4 stranded wire. Fault current source 11 electricallycommunicates with stranded wire 56 via a current path shown symbolicallyat 13, which represents any path taken by fault current to reach thestranded wire 56. The stranded wire 56, which serves as a lead for thegrounding network 10, is electrically interconnected via the meter boxbus bar 54 to the other grounding networks for the structure, inaccordance with Section 250.94 of the NEC. Alternatively, if theseparate grounding systems are not already interconnected inside themeter box 50 with mechanisms such as the meter box bus bar 54, aninter-system bonding termination block (IBTB) 55 can be used toelectrically interconnect the separate grounding networks. The IBTB 55can be a commercially-available item sold by, for example, Value TechSupply as Item No. 90588. More modern structures can already have anIBTB 55 mounted on a wall for outside access; however, in case a site isnot so equipped, an IBTB 55 can be supplied as part of a kit inaccordance with an implementation of some aspects of the presentdisclosure, described later herein with regard to FIG. 15. The strandedwire 56 exiting the meter box 50 can be carried in a conduit or casing58 for a predetermined distance. In various aspects, one example ofconnections of stranded wire 56 to grounding systems 12, 14 can comprisestranded wire extensions 60, 61, which can be attached at one of theirrespective ends to the stranded wire 56 with attachment lugs 62, 63,respectively. However, as will be discussed herein, such electricalconnections to grounding systems can be accomplished with differentconfigurations in different implementations of a grounding systemaccording to various other aspects of the present disclosure. In theexample of FIG. 1, the attachment lugs 62, 63 can be secured in placewith compression and silver solder. Arrow 64 indicates that the strandedwire 56 can be connected to additional electrical grounding systems asnecessary or desired to achieve further reduction in the electricalresistance of the site soil. Proximate their respective free endsopposite the attachment lugs 62, 63, the stranded wire extensions 60, 61can be attached to bonding lugs of the electrical grounding systems 12,14, respectively. (An example of a bonding lug is discussed with regardto FIG. 16 at 1646.) The systems 12, 14 can thus be electricallyconnected not only to the fault current source 11, but also to oneanother. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, electrical current to begrounded can be transmitted from the fault current source 11 to eachgrounding system 12, 14 by the stranded wire 56. Some of the faultcurrent from stranded wire 56 can be diverted to the electricalgrounding system 12, for example, via stranded wire extension 60, andundiverted fault current remaining in stranded wire extension 56 a canbe subject to further diversion into the electrical grounding system 14via stranded wire extension 61.

FIG. 2 illustrates that electrical grounding network 10 can comprise notonly first and second electrical grounding systems 12, 14, respectively,but also a third electrical grounding system 16 that can be constructedidentically to the systems 12, 14. Each of the grounding systems12,14,16 can be separated from one another by the distance “d” in adelta, or triangle, configuration. When more than one system isinstalled, the hole dug into native soil to accommodate a first systemcan be extended into a trench (for the distance “d,” for example) toaccommodate another such system. Each of the grounding systems 12,14,16is shown being electrically interconnected to one another by extensions56 a, 56 b, and 56 c of stranded wire 56. The example FIG. 2 is merelyillustrative, and an electrical grounding network with electricalgrounding systems of the type constructed in accordance with aspects ofthe present disclosure can use any suitable number of such systems inany configuration suitable for particular characteristics of the site tobe grounded.

FIG. 3 shows a partially completed subassembly 70 of one aspect of agrounding system electrode 65 that is shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 shows twoprincipal subassembly components of the grounding system electrode 65 inrelation to one another and in relation to a roll of carbon fiber fabric72 of the grounding system electrode 65. Referring to FIG. 3, thesubassembly 70 includes an electrically conductive column 74 configuredfor communication with the fault current source 11 (FIG. 1). The column74 can comprise an upper tube section 76 defining an exterior surface 76a, a lower tube section 78 defining an exterior surface 78 a, and atleast one spine 80 having opposed ends 80 a, 80 b, with end 80 a of thespine 80 connected to the upper tube section 76, and end 80 b of thespine 80 connected to the lower tube section 78. The tube sections 76,78 and the spine 80 can all be constructed of any suitable electricallyconductive material, such as copper, and spine 80 can be attached to thetube sections 76, 78 in any suitable manner, such as spot welding, thatenables electrical communication between the spine 80 and the tubesections 76, 78. Upper tube section 76 has an end 82 and column lugs84,86,88 attached to the upper tube section 76 proximate end 82 by anysuitable mechanisms, such as riveting, that permits electricalcommunication between the upper tube section 76 and each of the columnlugs 84,86,88. The column lugs 84,86,88 can be separated from oneanother by 120° of circumference. The column lugs 84,86,88 arecommercially-available hardware pieces made of electrically conductivematerial, with open ends opposite their fixed attachment points, theends designed to receive a respective wire, or cable, and upon suchreceipt, to be crimped about the end of the wire/cable to provide asecured mechanical and electrical connection to the wire/cable. Columnlugs 84,86,88 can be used for wiring attachments in the manner to bedescribed herein with regard to FIGS. 9 and 10.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, subassembly 70, and thus the grounding systemelectrode 65, can comprise a fabric support lattice 90 positionedcircumferentially around the upper tube section 76 and the lower tubesection 78. In particular, fabric support lattice 90 comprises an upperring 92 positioned circumferentially around the upper tube section 76, alower ring 94 positioned circumferentially around the lower tube section78, and at least one elongated member 96 having ends 96 a and 96 b,defining an inner surface 96 c (shown in FIG. 4) and an outer surface 96d, the inner surface 96 c of the elongated member 96 connected to theupper ring 92 proximate end 96 a of the elongated member 96, and theinner surface 96 c of the elongated member 96 connected to the lowerring 94 proximate end 96 b of the elongated member 96. FIGS. 3 and 4show the fabric support lattice 90 as having four elongated members 96,though a greater or a lesser number of such members can be used. Thefabric support lattice 90 can further comprise intermediate rings 98joined to or otherwise contacting portions of the inner surface 96 c ofthe elongated member 96 axially intermediate the upper ring 92 and thelower ring 94. The fabric support lattice 90 can be constructed of anysuitable material, which need not be electrically conductive, such ascardboard.

Referring to FIG. 4, electrode 65 can further comprise a carbon fiberlayer in the form of a roll of carbon fiber fabric 72 having edges 72 a,72 b, an inner face 73, and an outer face 75. The inner face 73 of thecarbon fiber fabric 72 can contact at least a portion of the outersurface 96 b of the elongated member 96 so that the fabric supportlattice 90 aids in imparting a cylindrical shape to the roll of carbonfiber fabric 72 when the carbon fiber fabric 72 is assembled onto thefabric support lattice 90. In some implementations, the carbon fiberfabric 72 can be secured in place about the fabric support lattice 90 byconductive copper foil tape (adhesive-backed copper foil, not shown)joining a seam formed by the edges of the carbon fiber fabric 72 thatmeet when the carbon fiber fabric 72 is formed into a roll (cylindricalshape), and by an adhesive applied at appropriate points between thecarbon fiber fabric 72 and the fabric support lattice 90. The copperfoil tape provides additional electrical contact between theelectrically conductive column 74 and the carbon fiber fabric 72 oncethe unit formed by the combination of carbon fiber fabric 72 and thefabric support lattice 90 is assembled onto the electrically conductivecolumn 74. Although all figures of the present disclosure depictelectrodes and some of their associated components as cylindrical inshape (circular cross-sections), in other implementations the electrodesand associated components can assume different cross-sectional shapes.Next, the unit formed by the combination of carbon fiber fabric 72 andthe fabric support lattice 90 can be positioned circumferentially aroundthe electrically conductive column 74, such that the inner face 73 ofthe roll of carbon fiber fabric 72 can contact, or otherwiseelectrically communicate with, at least a portion of the exteriorsurface 76 a of the upper tube section 76, and at least a portion of theexterior surface 78 a of the lower tube section 78. Both the directcontact of the carbon fiber fabric 72 with the electrically conductivecolumn 74 at sections 76,78, and the electrical interconnection betweenthe carbon fiber fabric 72 and those sections provided by conductivematerial such as the copper foil tape described above, comprisedifferent examples of a conductive relationship between the carbon fiberfabric 72 and the column 74. Thus, a conductive relationship cancomprise but does not require such direct contact, so long as the carbonfiber fabric 72 and the column 74 complete an electrical circuit. Inother words, the column 74 and the carbon fiber fabric 72 are in aconductive relationship with one another, despite the absence of directcontact between them, if the column 74 is able to transmit electriccurrent, especially fault current, away from its exterior surface (suchas surfaces 76 a, 78 a), through a conductive medium or material, andonto the carbon fiber fabric 72. The carbon fiber fabric 72 is thenattached to the exterior surfaces 76 a, 78 a by suitable fasteningmethods such as strips of copper tape respectively joining edges 72 a,72 b of the carbon fiber fabric 72 to the exterior surfaces 76 a, 78 a.The carbon fiber fabric 72 can thus surround the perimeter of theexterior surfaces 76 a, 76 b, with the fabric support lattice 90sandwiched between, or circumferentially intermediate, the electricallyconductive column 74 and the carbon fiber fabric 72. In theimplementation of FIG. 4, as well as in all other aspects of the currentdisclosure that employ a carbon fiber fabric 72, electrical continuityof an electrically conductive column (such as at 74 in FIG. 4) with thecarbon fiber fabric 72 can be made by: (1) physical contact of thecarbon fiber fabric 72 on the column 74 under subterranean pressure(assisted by the electrolytic characteristics of electrolytic fill,discussed herein with regard to FIG. 10 at 1004); (2)conductive-adhesive copper foil tape joining the column 74 with thecarbon fiber fabric 72 at several points along the column 74 (thelocations of such points depending upon column configuration); and (3)riveting (such as with copper and brass rivets), for example, a4-square-centimeter piece of 18-24 gauge copper sheet to the column 74,sandwiching the carbon fiber fabric 72 between the small copper pieceand the column 74, thus providing a durable bond between the column 74and the carbon fiber fabric 72. One copper “tab” is riveted to thecolumn 74 per section of carbon fiber fabric 72.

Referring to FIGS. 7A, and 7B, the carbon fiber fabric 72 can be an8.85-ounce carbon fiber plain weave fabric (the nature of that weavemost clearly seen in FIG. 7A) commercially available from, for example,Fiberglass Supply (Seattle, Wash.) under SKU #C53-6370. The carbon fiberfabric 72 is highly conductive and, as more fully appreciated withreference to the higher magnification depicted in FIG. 7B (which showssome carbon fiber strands broken for ease of illustration), is composedof thousands of fiber (or thread) ends 77 in a small area of fabric.Each of these ends 77 is an emitting point for electrons once theelectrically conductive column 74 transmits fault current to the carbonfiber fabric 72 in a manner to be discussed herein. Generally, in lessthan ideal soils, fault current received from a fault current source bya wire or conventional ground rod will remain in that wire or ground roduntil the fault current reaches the end of the electrode. By contrast,instead of having just one endpoint (for a ground rod or wire) or aseries of endpoints in a ground rod array, the carbon fiber fabric 72has many thousands of endpoints (ends 77) in an extremely small area,those endpoints 77 arising with each breakage of each fiber. Carbonfiber has an extraordinarily high ratio of surface to volume, and faultcurrents are known to often run along a surface of a conductivematerial. When the outer face 75 (FIG. 4) of the carbon fiber fabric 72is exposed to either native soil or an electrolytic medium within a holeof an installation (to be discussed herein), the thousands of endpointsprovide thousands of pathways into that soil or medium, andresistance-to-ground is dramatically reduced compared with othergrounding systems on a comparable depth or soil surface area.

Although the implementations of the present disclosure described hereinillustrate use of the plain weave carbon fiber fabric 72 of FIG. 7A asthe carbon fiber layer, it is to be understood that otherimplementations of the present disclosure can use other types of carbonfiber layers that are positioned in a conductive relationship with anelectrically conductive column. For instance, the carbon fiber layer cantake the form of a carbon fiber fabric woven differently from the plainweave of FIG. 7A. The carbon fiber layer can even take the form of loosechopped carbon fiber or rovings (also available from the aforementionedFiberglass Supply), which could be deposited in proximity to anelectrically conductive column (such as, for example, column 512described in FIG. 5C below) positioned in a hole formed into nativesoil. The chopped carbon fiber or rovings can optionally be suspended ina suitably conductive matrix. In yet other implementations, the carbonfiber layer can be applied to an outer surface of the electricallyconductive column in any suitable manner, such as being sprayed ontothat outer surface.

FIGS. 5A and 5B depict a grounding system electrode 500 in accordancewith another aspect of the present disclosure. Grounding systemelectrode 500 comprises two separate electrically conductive columns502, 504, joined end-to end, each column 502, 504 constructed of aconductive material such as copper. Unlike the column 74 of FIGS. 3 and4, which is comprised of spaced tubular sections joined by a spine, eachcolumn 502, 504 can be formed as a single continuous tube. Each column502, 504 can form its own separate electrode in areas allowing for onlylimited hole depth, such as sites with shallow soils. Thus each column502, 504 can be only two feet in length, for example, to allow burial insuch shallow soils. When joined together as shown, they can form asingle electrode 500 having a length of around four feet, suitable formost native soils. Upper column 502 has an upper end 506, and columnlugs 84,86,88 are attached to the upper column 502 proximate end 506 inthe same manner, and for the same purpose, discussed above with regardto FIG. 3. Each column 502, 504 can be wrapped in a respective roll ofcarbon fiber fabric 72, attached to the columns 502, 504 in the samemanner discussed above with regard to FIG. 4. Though not shown in FIG.5A, each column 502, 504 can also be provided with a fabric supportlattice constructed and positioned as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 at 90. Asseen in FIG. 5B, upper column 502 has an end 502 a that isoutwardly-tapered, while lower column 504 has an end 504 a that isinwardly-tapered. This allows end 502 a to be press fit over end 504 a,providing a secure mechanical and electrical connection between thecolumns 502, 504.

FIG. 5C is a perspective view of a grounding system electrode 510according to another aspect of the present disclosure, illustrating asingle continuous electrically conductive column 512, which can beconstructed, for example, as a four-foot length of copper tube. Twosections of carbon fiber fabric 72 can be wrapped around differentportions of the column 512, attached in the same manner discussed abovewith regard to FIG. 4. In other implementations, only a single, longersection of carbon fiber fabric 72 can be used in place of the twosections 72 shown in FIG. 5C, such that the central portion of column512 would not be exposed as shown. Column 512 has an upper end 516, andcolumn lugs 84,86,88 are attached to column 512 proximate upper end 516in the same manner, and for the same purpose, discussed above withregard to FIG. 3. Additionally, a fabric support lattice 90 can bepositioned circumferentially between the column 512 and each piece ofcarbon fiber fabric 72, in the same manner discussed above with regardto FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 5D is a perspective view of a grounding system electrode 520according to another aspect of the present disclosure, constructedidentically to the electrode 510 of FIG. 5C, except adding the featureof a hole 522 defined into a wall 524 of the column 512. Wall 524defines a column chamber within the interior space of column 512. Thehole 522 is configured to admit electrolytic fill into the columnchamber (such electrolytic fill to be discussed herein with regard toFIG. 10) when the electrode 520 is installed at a site in a horizontalorientation. A horizontal orientation can be desired for grounding sitesthat have only rocky native soil, making drilling holes to typicaldepths prohibitively time-consuming and expensive. If desirable, oncethe electrode 520 is installed in a horizontal orientation and theelectrolytic fill has been added via the hole 522, the installer can optto plug the hole 522 in any suitable manner.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a grounding system electrode 600according to another aspect of the present disclosure, with twosub-electrodes 602, 604 shown interconnected by cable lugs and cablemembers. Each sub-electrode 602, 604 is shown constructed identically toelectrode 65 (FIGS. 3 and 4) and thus identically to one another (withidentical parts among the two sub-electrodes 602, 604 being identifiedby corresponding primed numerals for sub-electrode 604), with theexception of connection lugs 606,608 (third connection lug not shown)attached to the lower tube section 78′ of sub-electrode 604 proximatethe lower end 609′ of lower tube section 78′. Alternatively, theelectrically conductive column of each sub-electrode 602, 604 can beconstructed of a continuous tube, also formed from conductive materialsuch as copper. A first cable member 610 electrically interconnectscolumn lug 84 and connection lug 606, and a second cable member 612electrically interconnects column lug 86 and connection lug 608. (Asimilar interconnection, not shown, is provided with respect to columnlug 88 of column 602.) Each lug is crimped about a respective end of acable member received therein to provide a secure mechanical andelectrical connection between sub-electrodes 602,604. Optionally,sub-electrode 602 can also be provided with connection lugs 614,616attached to lower tube section 78 proximate lower end 609, in the eventyet another sub-electrode is to be included in electrode 600. However,in most instances inclusion of a third such sub-electrode is notexpected to be necessary.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a salt replenishment tube 800 and anupper portion of a ground member (which can be a ground rod as shown)802 having an exterior surface 802 a, both the salt replenishment tube800 and the ground rod 802 used in an electrical grounding systemaccording to various aspects of the present disclosure, and strapped toone another with fasteners such as zip ties 804. In an implementation,salt replenishment tube 800 can be constructed of polyvinyl chloride(PVC) but any other suitable material can be used. The ground rod 802 isa conventional grounding member that can be constructed of anyconductive material suitable to transmit fault current received from afault current source 11 (FIG. 1) into native soil receiving the groundrod 802, an example of such material being a copper-clad metal. FIG. 8shows only an upper portion (an undriven portion in an installation) ofthe ground rod 802 which in some implementations can have a total lengthof, for example and without limitation, 2.44 meters (96 in.). The saltreplenishment tube 800 can comprise a tube wall defining an interiorsurface and an exterior surface 800 a, the interior surface of the tubewall defining a tube chamber 806, wherein the tube wall defines at leastone weep hole 808 extending from the exterior surface of the tube wall,through the tube wall, and into the tube chamber 806. FIG. 8 depictsfive such weep holes 808, but any suitable number of such holes can beformed. Additionally, the weep holes 808 do not need to be evenlydistributed along the length of the salt replenishment tube 800 asshown; any other suitable distribution can be used. The saltreplenishment tube 800 is provided with a removable upper end cap 810 atits upper end and a permanent lower end cap 812 proximate its lower end.Electrolytic salt 814 is disposed within the tube chamber 806, whereinthe weep holes 808 are configured to provide passageways for theelectrolytic salt 810, during use of the grounding system according toaspects of the present disclosure, to leach from the tube chamber 806and into a column chamber at least partially-defined by an electricallyconductive column such as any of the electrically conductive columnsdiscussed above with regard to FIGS. 3-6. Suitably-colored indicia suchas a vertical line 816 can be printed on the exterior surface 800 a ofthe salt replenishment tube 800 so that an installer can readily ensurethat when he/she attaches the salt replenishment tube to the ground rod802, the weep holes 808 will point away from the ground rod 802, andthus that the ground rod 802 will not block the weep holes 808. Theelectrolytic salt 814 can be a product that is commercially availablefrom Electronics Research, Inc., based in Chandler, Ind., United States.The electrolytic salt 814 that leaches into a column chamber during useenhances and helps maintain electrolytic properties of electrolytic filladded to a column chamber in manner to be described herein. To fullycontain the electrolytic salt 814 within the salt replenishment tube 800prior to installation at a grounding site, pieces of water-soluble tape818 can be a placed into position over each weep hole 808 and fastenedin place to the salt replenishment tube 800. The water-soluble tape canbe a commercially-available product sold by, for example, SmartSolve asNo. IT112021S Dissolving Tape. The pieces of tape 818 shown in FIG. 8are shown merely as representative sizes, and any suitable sizes of suchpieces can be used. Finally shown in FIG. 8 is a ground rod clamp 820,which can take the form of the acorn clamp illustrated. Acorn clamp(ground member clamp) 820 is shown attached to the ground rod 802proximate an upper end 822 of the ground rod 802. The function of acornclamp 820 is more readily explained with reference to FIG. 9, below.

FIG. 9 is a detail of lead connections at an upper end of a groundingsystem electrode according to various aspects of the present disclosure.As an example, FIG. 9 depicts an upper portion of the single continuouselectrically conductive column 512 of electrode 510 (FIG. 5C), proximateits upper end 516. Column 512 is shown encircling the joinedelectrolytic salt tube 800 and ground rod 802, a position taken whenelectrode 510 is installed into a hole formed into native soil at agrounding site, following the driving of the ground rod 802 into nativesoil at a bottom of the hole and the ensuing binding of an upper portionof the ground rod 802 and the salt replenishment tube together with thefasteners 804, the installation steps discussed in detail with regard toFIGS. 14A-14C. FIG. 9 shows a bus bar 900 constructed of electricallyconductive material, such as copper, comprising a first bus barconnector (lay-in lug) 902, a second bus bar connector (lay-in lug) 904,and a third bus bar connector (lay-in lug) 906, and a base 908electrically interconnecting each of the bus bar connectors 902,904,906to one another. A first lead 910 (which can have, for example, aone-foot length) brings the first bus bar connector 902 into electricalcommunication with the electrically conductive column 512 throughinsertion of one end of the first lead 910 into column lug 84, andconnection of its opposite end to the first bus bar connector 902. Asecond lead 912 (which can have, for example, a two-foot length) bringsthe second bus bar connector 904 into electrical communication with theelectrically conductive column 512 by being threaded through the secondbus bar connector 904, with one end of the second lead 912 inserted intocolumn lug 86, and the opposite end of the second lead 912 inserted intocolumn lug 88. The third bus bar connector 906 and the acorn clamp 820are configured to be brought into electrical communication with thefault current source 11 (FIG. 1). A fault current supply cable 914 canbe supplied by an installer and can be cut to a custom length from astock supply of such cable owned by the installer, the length sufficientto connect at one end to the inter-system bonding termination block(IBTB) 55 (FIG. 1), for its opposed end to be threaded through the acornclamp 820 and third bus bar connector 906 as shown in FIG. 9, and tothen exit the electrical grounding system for possible connection toanother electrical grounding system installed in a grounding networkaccording to an aspect of the present disclosure. Thus, fault currentsupply cable 914 originating from IBTB 55 is shown to be threaded to oneside of acorn clamp 820, form a loop at 916 before being threaded toanother side of the acorn clamp 820, and then threaded through the thirdbus bar connector 906 before proceeding outwardly to another electricalgrounding system. In other implementations, where only a singleelectrical grounding system is needed, such as for many residentialstructures, the opposed end of fault current supply cable 914 is notthreaded through the third bus bar connector 906 to connect to anotheritem; instead, for such implementations, that opposed end can simplyterminate at the third bus bar connector 906.

FIG. 10 is a top view of an installed electrical grounding system, priorto placement of an enclosure atop the system, with the bus bar 900 andassociated wiring connections of FIG. 9 shown in perspective. Theinstallation shown in FIG. 10, which employs an installation sleeve 1000having an inner surface 1000 a, is discussed in detail with reference toFIGS. 14A and 14B, and the construction of the installation sleeve 1000is discussed in detail with reference to FIG. 13A. A column chamber 1002is defined between an interior surface 512 a of the electricallyconductive column 512, the exterior surface 800 a of the saltreplenishment tube 800, and an exterior surface 802 a (FIG. 9) of theground rod 802. Electrolytic fill 1004 is disposed within the columnchamber 1002. The electrolytic fill 1004 can be comprised of a mixtureconfigured to conduct, in a radially outward direction exemplified bydirection arrows 1005, at least a portion of any fault current receivedby the ground rod 802 in an electrical grounding system constructed andinstalled according to various aspects of the present disclosure. Theradially outward direction exemplified by the direction arrows 1005extends from the ground rod 802, through the column chamber 1002, and tothe carbon fiber fabric 72. The electrolytic fill 1004 can comprisehydrophilic clay and electrolytic salts. In the current aspect of thepresent disclosure, the electrolytic fill 1004 comprises a compositionof bentonite clay, copper sulfate, gypsum, and magnesium sulfate, withbentonite clay comprising at least 50% of the composition. Such acomposition is commercially available in dry form from ElectronicsResearch, Inc., based in Chandler, Ind., United States, and expected tobe sold under the trademark ELF™. When a sufficient quantity of water isadded, the electrolytic fill 1004 can be a colloid mixture and appliedto various implementations of the grounding system of the presentdisclosure as a paste. FIG. 10 shows an upper surface 1004 a of theelectrolytic fill 1004 exposed within the column chamber 1002, prior toapplication of bentonite clay atop upper surface 1004 a, as will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 14A and 14B. The outer face 75 of thecarbon fiber fabric 72 and the inner surface 1000 a of the installationsleeve 1000 define an outer annular space 1006. Electrolytic backfillmaterial can be added to this outer annular space 1006, in a manner tobe described with regard to FIG. 14B.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an enclosure 1100 for an electricalgrounding system according to various aspects of the present disclosure,also depicting the bus bar 900 attached to an inner surface of theenclosure 1100. The enclosure 1100 is positioned over an electricallyconductive column (such as column 512 in FIG. 10) as the finalinstallation step to protect the column 512 and its contents. Theenclosure 1100 has a lower rim 1102 defining an opening 1104 extendingaxially upwardly, the opening 1104 providing a passage through which thefault current supply cable 914 can be routed to the acorn clamp 820(FIG. 10), through the third bus bar connector 906 of the bus bar 900,and back out of the enclosure 1100 to another electrical groundingsystem. Enclosure 1100 can take the form of a valve box constructed ofplastic, commonly used for irrigation systems, and in otherimplementations it can assume any other shape suitable for purposes tobe accomplished by a grounding system installed according to variousaspects of the present disclosure. Further, the top of the enclosure(not shown) can form a cover that is removably attached to the remainderof the enclosure 1100 to provide for convenient post-installation accessto components of a buried electrical grounding system constructedaccording to various aspects of the present disclosure. The bus bar 900can be attached to an inner surface 1100 a of the enclosure 1100 by anysuitable means, such as by an adhesive that can be applied to a lowersurface 908 a (FIG. 12B) of the bus bar base 908. The adhesive can havea composition allowing paper backing to be removably applied to anadhesive layer on lower surface 908 a, so that the paper backing shieldsthe adhesive layer during shipment of the kit discussed with regard toFIG. 15 but can be removed when an installer is ready to attach the busbar 900 to the inner surface 1100 a of the enclosure 1100.

FIGS. 12A and 12B provide more detailed views of the bus bar connectors902,904,906 of bus bar 900, all of which can be mounted to an uppersurface 908 b of the bus bar base 908 with respective bolts 918,920,922.As mentioned previously, each of the bus bar connectors 902,904,906 canbe constructed as a copper lay-in lug commercially available fromsuppliers such as elecDirect.com, SKU #CL50DB. Referring to third busbar connector 906 in FIG. 12B as a representative example, each suchlay-in lug includes a C-shaped, one-piece bearing 924 having aninternally-threaded aperture (not shown) that receives anexternally-threaded screw 926 extending substantially vertically throughan upper branch of the bearing 924. A lead (wire/cable) can be passedbeneath a lower end of the screw 926 and once the lead is in the desiredposition, the screw 926 can be tightened such that the lead is securedbetween the lower end of the screw 926 and a lower branch of the bearing924.

FIG. 13A provides a perspective view of the installation sleeve 1000discussed with regard to FIG. 10. The installation sleeve 1000 isemployed to facilitate installation of a grounding system according toaspects of the present disclosure, and is removed upon completion of aninstallation, as will be discussed in detail with regard to FIGS. 14Aand 14B. In an implementation of the present disclosure, theinstallation sleeve 1000 can be supplied by an installer of the system,rather than being included within a kit such as that discussed withregard to FIG. 15. The installation sleeve 1000 can be constructed ofany material sufficiently durable to withstand pulling forces withoutbreakage, such as PVC of a suitable thickness, and can have a length ofat least 180 cm (72 in.). As shown in FIG. 13A, the installation sleeve1000 can be formed as a tube having a sleeve wall 1300 extending betweenan upper end 1302 and a lower end 1304, the sleeve wall 1300 definingdiametrically-opposed apertures 1306, 1308. A lifting rod 1310 canextend through the apertures 1306, 1308 such that it can be grasped byan installer at portions 1310 a,b to facilitate application of upwardpulling force to the installation sleeve 1000 when it is desired toremove the installation sleeve 1000 in the manner to be discussed withregard to FIGS. 14A and 14B.

FIG. 13B illustrates a different type of installation sleeve 1312 that,unlike installation sleeve 1000 of FIG. 13A, is made of conductivematerial and is intended to be left in an installation site for theserviceable life of an electrical grounding system constructed accordingto a different aspect of the present disclosure, such as that to bediscussed with regard to FIG. 16, wherein the installation sleeve 1312could substitute for the electrically conductive column 1630 disclosedtherein. The installation sleeve 1312 can be split into two sleevehalves 1312 a, 1312 b for the entire length of the installation sleeve1312 to facilitate removal of the sleeve 1312 from an installation hole.Such removal is further facilitated by a bail 1314, which can be aU-shaped member with legs attached to the sleeve halves 1312 a,b atapertures 1316. Fasteners 1318 can extend from one leg of the bail 1314,through the apertures 1316 in the installation sleeve 1312, and to theother leg of the bail 1314. In this manner, the fasteners 1318 hold thesleeve halves 1312 a,b together proximate an upper end 1320 of theinstallation sleeve 1312. The installation sleeve 1312 can define atleast one longitudinal slot 1322 extending downwardly from the upper end1320 of the installation sleeve 1312. The longitudinal slot 1322 canadmit a stranded wire extension (such as stranded wire extensions 60, 61in FIG. 1) through the installation sleeve 1312 before being anchored toa bonding lug of a hollow electrode (such as bonding lug 1646 of hollowelectrode 1612 in FIG. 16).

FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrate installation stages of an electricalgrounding system 1400 according to various aspects of the presentdisclosure, where particular types of native soils require the use of aninstallation sleeve such as that discussed above with regard to FIG.13A, namely, native soils such as dry sand that do not allow a hole wallto remain completely stable. In other words, such soil has a tendency toslide back into a hole originally formed. FIG. 14A shows an electricalgrounding system 1400 partially installed in a hole 1402 formed intonative soil 1403. In the first installation step, some of the nativesoil 1403 can be excavated, such as with a manual or automated auger andhydraulic digging equipment, to try to form the hole 1402. For variousimplementations, minimum hole size can be 140 cm (54 in.) deep and 20 cm(8 in.) in diameter. A ground member (such as ground rod 802) can thenbe driven into the native soil 1403, substantially centered at thebottom 1402 a of the hole 1402 and, in various implementations, at adepth of at least 1.25 meters (˜48 in.) into that native soil 1403, suchthat the top of the ground rod 802 would then be about 10-15 cm (4-6in.) below surrounding grade. Next, a salt replenishment tube (SRT) 800,constructed as described with regard to FIG. 8, can be fastened to theundriven portion of the ground rod 802 in the manner also described withregard to FIG. 8. In various implementations, the top of the SRT 800 canbe about 5 cm (2 in.) below the top of the ground rod 802. Aninstallation sleeve 1000, constructed as described with regard to FIG.13A, can then be positioned in the hole 1402 circumferentially aroundthe fastened combination of the ground rod 802 and the SRT 800. A hollowelectrode (such as electrode 510 in FIG. 5C), can then also be insertedinto the hole 1402 and positioned circumferentially around the samefastened combination, such that electrode 510 can be thereby positioned,and temporarily contained within, the installation sleeve 1000, as seenin FIG. 14A. In some implementations, the top of the electrode 510 canbe positioned about six inches below finish grade.

Next, and still referring to FIG. 14A, electrolytic backfill material1404 can be added to the outer annular space (identified at 1006 in FIG.10) defined between the outer face 75 of the carbon fiber fabric 72 andthe inner surface 1000 a of the installation sleeve 1000. In variousimplementations, electrolytic backfill material 1404 can be applied tothe outer annular space 1006 in a semi-liquid form. The electrolyticbackfill material 1404 can be a material comprised of ingredients thatpromote migration of electrons into the native soil 1403 and that createa hydrophilic column around the electrode 510. The electrolytic backfillmaterial 1404 can also be sold as part of a kit, as discussed in moredetail with regard to FIG. 15. For ease of applying this material, aninstaller can opt to place a temporary cover over the entire electrode510, thus preventing the electrolytic backfill material 1404 fromspilling into the electrode 510. For purposes of illustration, an 8-inchbore hole can require up to roughly 1.2 cubic feet of electrolyticbackfill material 1404. The installer can fill the outer annular space1006 with the electrolytic backfill material 1404 up to the top of theelectrode 510. Once that filling is completed, any temporary coverplaced over the electrode 510 is removed, and electrolytic fill 1004 isadded to the column chamber 1002 (FIG. 10), such that the electrolyticfill upper surface 1004 a (FIG. 10) is at an elevation lower than theupper end 516 of the electrically conductive column 512 of electrode510. A layer of bentonite clay 1406 can then be added within the columnchamber 1002 atop the electrolytic fill upper surface 1004 a. The layerof bentonite clay 1406 forms a hydrophilic layer proximate the upper end516 to help preserve moisture content of the electrolytic fill 1004within the column chamber 1002, which is particularly beneficial in aridenvironments. The bentonite clay 1406 can be added as granules in someimplementations but can take other suitable forms. Also, the bentoniteclay 1406 need not be applied immediately after the addition of theelectrolytic fill 1004, but can be added as a penultimate step,preceding the final step of adding the enclosure 1100 shown in FIG. 14B.

Following the addition of the electrolytic fill 1004 or, in otherimplementations, the addition of the bentonite clay, the installationsleeve 1000 is gradually removed in conjunction with incrementalbackfilling steps. More particularly, the installation sleeve is movedupwardly, by an increment less than a length of the installation sleeve1000, to expose a portion of the electrolytic backfill material 1404 tosurrounding native soil 1403. Following such incremental movement, aportion of the native soil 1403 previously excavated from the hole 1402is returned to the hole 1402 as an outer backfill, such that returnedsoil is placed in a void defined between the installation sleeve 1000and non-disturbed native soil 1403 defining the hole 1402 (i.e., betweenthe sleeve wall 1300 and the hole wall 1405). Optionally, the returnedsoil can be mixed with additional electrolytic backfill material 1404.The steps of moving the installation sleeve 1000 upwardly by anincrement, and returning to the hole 1402 a portion of soil excavatedfrom the hole 1402, are sequentially repeated until the installationsleeve 1000 is fully removed from the hole 1402.

FIG. 14B illustrates the electrical grounding system 1400 in its fullyinstalled state. With the installation sleeve 1000 (FIG. 14A) completelyremoved, the electrolytic backfill material 1404 is directly exposed tothe surrounding backfill comprising the native soil 1403 returned to thehole 1402. A gap 1001 is shown in FIG. 14B merely for illustrativepurposes to show the space that had been occupied by installation sleeve1000 in FIG. 14A, but it shall be understood that in the fully installedstate shown, the electrolytic backfill material 1404 and the backfillcomprising the native soil 1403 come in contact with one another. Eitherafter the above-described removal of the installation sleeve 1000 fromthe hole 1402, or after the earlier step of positioning the electrode510 within the installation sleeve 1000, the ground rod 802 and theelectrode 510 are electrically interconnected, and the electricalgrounding system 1400 is connected to a fault current source 11 (FIG.1), in the manner described above with regard to FIG. 9. FIG. 14B alsoillustrates placement of the enclosure 1100 atop the electrode 510.

FIG. 14C is a sectional view of a fully-installed installed electricalgrounding system 1400′ according to an aspect of the present disclosure,with primed numerals in FIG. 14C indicating elements corresponding, butnot identical, to those previously identified by unprimed referencenumber counterparts). FIG. 14C shows a different type of native soil1403′ for which an installation sleeve was not used, due to stability ofthe hole wall 1405′ provided by this different type of native soil1403′. The steps resulting in the installation of electrical groundingsystem 1400′ are the same as those described above with regard to FIGS.14A and 14B, with three exceptions in the current aspect. First, the asindicated above, the installation of FIG. 14C does not involve placementof an installation sleeve into hole 1402′. Second, following placementof the electrode 510 within the hole 1402′ (but not necessarilyimmediately following that placement), the electrolytic fill material1404 is added to the annular space, not between the hole wall 1405′ andany installation sleeve, but instead between the hole wall 1405′ and theouter face 75 of the carbon fiber fabric 72 of the electrode 510.Finally, since FIG. 14C shows the electrolytic fill material 1404serving as the sole backfill material external to the electrode 510, theinstallation of FIG. 14C omits the steps of returning native soil to thehole to serve as such external backfill.

FIG. 15 illustrates a kit 1500 comprising elements of an electricalgrounding system according to an aspect of the present disclosure. Kit1500 includes a hollow electrode, such as electrode 510 (FIGS. 5C and14A-140), and a bus bar 900, constructed as described above with regardto FIGS. 9, 12A, and 12B. As already described with regard to FIG. 3,electrode 510 can comprise a first column lug 84, a second column lug86, and a third column lug 88 attached to, and in electricalcommunication, with the electrically conductive tube (column) 512 of theelectrode 510, proximate upper end 516 of the electrically conductivecolumn 512. Electrode 510 and bus bar 900 can be connected to oneanother in such a manner as to prevent excessive movement of the bus bar900 during shipment of the kit 1500. In an implementation of the presentdisclosure, a first lead 910 can be attached at one end to the firstcolumn lug 84, and a second lead 912 can be threaded through one of thebus bar connectors, such as connector 904, one end of the second lead912 connected to the second column lug 86, and another end of the secondlead 912 connected to the third column lug 88. Kit 1500 can furtherinclude a salt replenishment tube (SRT) assembly 1502 positioned insidethe electrode 510 during shipment of the kit 1500, the saltreplenishment tube assembly 1502 comprising an SRT 800 containingelectrolytic salt 814 (FIG. 8), caps 810, 812 received the ends of theSRT 800 to retain the electrolytic salt 814 within the SRT 800, andwater-soluble tape 816 placed over each weep hole 808 (FIG. 8) in theSRT 800, the water-soluble tape 816 configured to prevent escape of theelectrolytic salt 814 out of the SRT 800 through the weep holes 808during shipment, all of the foregoing aspects of SRT assembly 1502described above with regard to FIG. 8. The SRT assembly 1502 isconfigured such that, during use of the electrical grounding system, thewater-soluble tape 816 dissolves over time to allow the electrolyticsalt 814 to leach from the inner chamber of the SRT 800, through theweep holes 808, and into space external to the SRT 800. As shown in FIG.15, the combination of the electrode 510, bus bar 900 and associatedwiring, and the SRT assembly 1502 are all receivable in a shippingcontainer 1504. Optionally, the SRT 800 can additionally be packaged ina plastic bag to further prevent against leakage of the electrolyticsalt 814 to other components during shipment. In addition, kit 1500 canfurther comprise a bucket 1505 containing a predetermined quantity (suchas five gallons) of electrolytic fill 1004 (FIG. 10); a container 1506containing a predetermined quantity (such as two cubic feet) ofelectrolytic backfill material 1404; a container 1508 containing apredetermined quantity (such as two pounds) of bentonite clay granules;a ground member clamp (acorn clamp 820, FIG. 8); and an IBTB 55 (FIG.1). The bucket 1505 can contain electrolytic fill in the form of apaste, in which dry electrolytic fill material available from thesupplier is diluted with water to less than 100% (such as 80%, forexample) of its installed dilution. An installer can then mix more waterwith the paste at the installation site to achieve a dilution suitableto add to a grounding system electrode in the manner described abovewith regard to FIG. 10.

FIG. 16 illustrates an electrical grounding system 1600 according toanother aspect of the present disclosure. Electrical grounding system1600 includes a hollow electrode 1610, which can be constructed of aconductive material such as a 1-inch diameter copper tube, though othertypes of conductive materials can be used. Hollow electrode 1610 candefine an upper end 1612, a lower end 1614, and an electrode wall 1616extending between the upper end 1612 and the lower end 1614. A cap 1618can be received on the upper end 1612. The electrode wall 1616 candefine an inner chamber (not shown) within the hollow electrode 1610 andcan define an exterior surface 1620. The electrode wall 1616 can alsodefine a plurality of weep holes 1622 that can extend from the exteriorsurface 1620 through the electrode wall 1616 to the inner chamber. Aground member 1624 can be operatively connected to the lower end 1614 ofthe hollow electrode 1610 at a junction 1626 and can extend downwardlyfrom the junction 1626 into native soil 1627. FIG. 16 is not necessarilydrawn to scale, and the ground member 1624 can extend into the nativesoil 1627 at a greater relative depth than that shown. The ground member1624 can be constructed of a conductive material, such as a copper-clad,¾-inch diameter rod, though other types of conductive materials can beused with different or the same diameters. A base 1628, which can alsobe constructed of a conductive material, can surround the exteriorsurface 1620 of the electrode wall 1616 proximate the junction 1626. Thebase 1628 can be shaped as a disc with a central aperture or can beprovided with a pair of base bushings (such as those to be describedherein with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18), one of which can allow theground member 1624 to be removably attached to the base 1628 (such as inthe manner to be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18). Thus, invarious aspects, the hollow electrode 1610 can be directly connected tothe ground member 1624, or the hollow electrode 1610 can beinterconnected to the ground member 1624 via the base 1628; the terms“operatively connected” and “junction” can encompass both possible formsof connection, as well as other connection mechanisms known in the art,such as welding, adhesives, press-fits, fasteners, or being formed as amonolithic construction.

Still referring to FIG. 16, an electrically conductive column 1630 cansurround the hollow electrode 1610. The electrically conductive column1630 can be constructed of a conductive material, such as copper, andcan have an annular, or tube-like, cross-section, though othercross-sectional shapes are contemplated as being within the scope of thepresent disclosure. The electrically conductive column 1630 can define alower end 1632, an upper end 1634, and a column wall 1636 extendingbetween the lower end 1632 and the upper end 1634. The lower end 1632can contact the base 1628, or can simply surround the base 1628annularly when positioned surrounding the hollow electrode 1610. Theelectrically conductive column 1630 can define an outer chamber 1638between the exterior surface 1620 of the electrode wall 1616 and thecolumn wall 1636. Electrolytic fill 1004 can be deposited within theouter chamber 1638. The electrolytic properties of the electrolytic fill1004 can be enhanced by removing the cap 1618, adding electrolytic saltinto the inner chamber of the hollow electrode 1610, and replacing thecap 1618. The electrolytic salt can pass from the inner chamber, throughthe weep holes 1622, and into the electrolytic fill 1004 present in theouter chamber 1638. Since the electrolytic fill 1004 is a colloid, watermolecules remain available to interact with the electrolytic salt, yetthe water molecules are not as susceptible to freezing in frigidenvironments.

Again referring to FIG. 16, a bonding lug 1646 can be attached to theexterior surface 1620 of the electrode wall 1616, such as by welding.Attaching a ground wire, or an extension thereof such as extension 60 inFIG. 1, to the bonding lug 1646, provides an electrical communicationbetween fault current source 11 (FIG. 1) and the electrical groundingsystem 1600. One portion of this electrical current can then be routedaxially through the hollow electrode 1610 and axially through the groundmember 1624. Another portion of the current transmitted by the bondinglug 1646 can be routed radially through the electrolytic fill 1004 andthrough the column wall 1636. Once the electrical grounding system 1600is buried in a hole formed in the soil, and the hole backfilled withbackfill material (in a manner such as that discussed below with regardto FIG. 20), the radially-directed current from the column wall 1636 canenter the backfill material, and flow into portions of the soilcontacting the backfill material. Also, once the grounding system 1600is installed in the manner described, the ground member 1624 candisperse the axially-directed portion of the current to the soil beneathbase 1628. Additionally, the base 1628 itself is capable of routing thecurrent it receives both axially (downwardly) into the soil beneath thebase, and radially through the column wall 1636 and into the backfillmaterial.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an electrode assembly 1700 constructedaccording to another aspect of the present disclosure. Electrodeassembly 1700 can comprise a hollow electrode 1710, which can beconstructed of a conductive material such as a 1-inch diameter coppertube, though other types of conductive materials with varying diameterscan be used. Hollow electrode 1710 defines an upper end (not shown) onwhich is received a cap 1712, a lower end 1714, and an electrode wall1716 extending between the upper end and the lower end 1714. Theelectrode wall 1716 can define an inner chamber (not shown) within thehollow electrode 1710 and can define an exterior surface 1718 and aplurality of weep holes 1720 extending from the exterior surface 1718through the electrode wall 1716 to the inner chamber. A base 1722, whichalso can be constructed of conductive material, includes a plate section1724 defining a plurality of apertures 1726 therein, the purpose of theapertures 1726 to be discussed with regard to FIG. 20. An upper basebushing 1728 can extend upwardly from the plate section 1724 and can bepermanently fixed to the plate section 1724, though other types ofsuitable connections can be used. The upper base bushing 1728 can beconstructed of a conductive material and can receive the lower end 1714of the hollow electrode 1710, which can be permanently joined to theupper base bushing 1728, though other types of suitable connections canbe used. The upper base bushing 1728 can function as a lower cap tocontain electrolytic salts that can be placed within the inner chamberof the hollow electrode 1710. A lower base bushing 1730 can extenddownwardly from the plate section 1724 opposite the upper base bushing1728. The lower base bushing 1730 can be formed as aninternally-threaded copper bushing permanently fixed either to the platesection 1724 or to the upper base bushing 1728, though other types ofconductive materials and suitable connections can be used. A groundmember 1732 can comprise an externally-threaded upper end 1734 (FIG. 18)that can be received within the internally-threaded lower base bushing1730. It shall be understood that the term “electrode assembly” as usedwith regard to FIG. 17 means all components illustrated in FIG. 17except the ground member 1732. Thus the ground member 1732 is not partof the electrode assembly 1700. The ground member 1732 can thereby beremovably attached to the lower base bushing 1730 and thus to the base1722, yet the connection provided can still meet the requirements of a“bond” under the NEC. The ground member 1732 can also be constructed ofa conductive material, such as a copper-clad, ¾-inch diameter rod,though other types of conductive materials with varying diameters can beused. Break lines 1734 are used in FIG. 17 to indicate that the groundmember 1732 can be available to a user in differing lengths, dependingon various factors involved with the grounding site, including but notlimited to soil depth.

Still referring to FIG. 17, the electrode assembly 1700 can include anelectrode frame 1736 connected to the exterior surface 1718 of theelectrode wall 1716. The electrode frame 1736 can comprise a pluralityof substantially U-shaped frame members 1738 defining an axial section1738 a substantially parallel to the axis A-A of the hollow electrode1710 and two spaced radial sections, namely, upper radial section 1738 band lower radial section 1738 c. Each radial section 1738 b,c can extendfrom the axial section 1738 a at an angle (shown in FIG. 17 as 90°,though other suitable angles can be used) to the axial section 1738 aand can terminate at respective ends 1738 d, 1738 e contacting, andjoined to, the exterior surface 1718 of the electrode wall 1716. Theframe members 1738 can be constructed of conductive material, such as3/16-inch diameter copper rods. As constructed, the electrode frame 1736can increase the conductive surface area of the electrode assembly 1700,thus providing enhanced dissipation characteristics, and can providestructural support for an installation sleeve in an installed state, aswill be discussed in detail with regard to FIG. 20.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an electrode assembly 1800 constructedaccording to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, with certainreference numerals in FIG. 18 identifying the same componentscorresponding to the same numerals used in FIG. 17. However, unlike thedisclosure of FIG. 17, the lower radial section 1738 c of electrodeassembly 1800 can have a curved profile extending from the axial section1738 a opposite the upper radial section 1738 b and can terminate in asecond end 1738 e′ contacting the exterior surface 1718 of the electrodewall 1716. Also shown in FIG. 18 is an electrode bushing 1740, which cansubstitute for the cap 1712′. The electrode bushing 1740 can comprise afirst section 1740 a and an axially opposed second section 1740 b, thefirst section 1740 a operatively connected to the upper end of thehollow electrode 1710, such as by way of permanent attachment, thoughother suitable attaching types can be used. The second section 1740 bcan be provided with male NPT (National Pipe Taper) threading, which canfacilitate a removable connection to a second electrode assembly(“electrode assembly” defined as all components of an electrode assemblyexcept the ground member) constructed identically to either electrodeassembly 1700 or 1800. Specifically, second section 1740 b can mate withthe internal threads of a lower base bushing (such as 1730 in FIG. 17),such that two entire electrode assemblies can be joined end-to-end.Additional electrode assemblies can be joined to the resultingdual-length assembly in like manner, if needed. This provides a modularapproach allowing for use of the same types of components to easilyadapt to varying characteristics of different grounding sites.Alternatively, the hollow electrode 1710 of FIG. 18 can be joineddirectly to the base 1722 without use of a bushing.

FIGS. 19A and 19B illustrate installation sleeve sections constructedaccording to aspects of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 19A, an installation sleeve section 1900 can beconstructed of a compound that possesses electrolytic properties andthat is biodegradable. A mesh 1902 can be added to this compound toenhance structural strength of the installation sleeve section 1900 andto enhance the dissipation of fault current into the installation sleevesection 1900 and, once installed, into backfill material and surroundingsoils. The mesh 1902 can be constructed of ½-inch copper, though otherconductive materials with varying diameters can be used. The resultinginstallation sleeve section 1900 is a rigid tube strong enough towithstand soil-backfill pressures. Once degradation of the biodegradablecompound comprising installation sleeve section 1900 occurs in the soilof an installation site, the mesh 1902 remains to continue to helpenhance soil conductivity, which can be further enhanced by the releaseof any electrolytic fill 1004 (FIG. 10) that was present in the outerchamber defined by the installation sleeve section 1900 (similar toouter chamber 1638 of FIG. 16). Installation sleeve section 1900, shownas having a cylindrical tube-like shape, defines a lower end 1904, anupper end 1906, and a sleeve wall 1908 extending between the lower end1904 and the upper end 1906, with the sleeve wall 1908 defining an outersurface 1910, an inner surface 1912, and a central opening 1914, thoughother shapes having a central opening are contemplated as being withinthe scope of the present disclosure. Proximate the lower end 1904,sleeve wall 1908 can flare radially outwardly to form a flange 1916,which can promote a modular approach in constructing a sleeve tocomplete an electrode assembly. The flange 1916 can be formed during themanufacture of the installation sleeve section 1900 such that theinstallation sleeve section 1900, including the flange 1916, is aone-piece component. Other suitable methods of attaching orincorporating the flange 1916 can be used in other aspects.

The installation sleeve section 1900 can be provided in two-footlengths, or other suitable lengths, including lengths shorter than thelength of a one-piece installation sleeve in most completed electricalgrounding systems. At the installation site, such sleeve sections can bestacked atop one another when electrical grounding systems deeper than,for instance, two feet, are possible or desired. In such an arrangement,an unflared end of one installation sleeve section 1900 fits within theflange of another installation sleeve section to provide for a snug fitbetween the sections. Each installation sleeve section 1900 can have aplurality of weep holes 1918 extending from the outer surface 1910through the sleeve wall 1908 to the inner surface 1912. Onceelectrolytic fill has been added to the outer chamber defined by one ormore assembled installation sleeve sections 1900 (see, for example,outer chamber 1638 of FIG. 16), the electrolytic fill 1004 (FIG. 10)leaches from the outer chamber, through the weep holes 1918, and intobackfill material surrounding the sleeve section 1900 in its installedstate. FIG. 19A illustrates the weep holes 1918 arranged inaxially-spaced circumferential rows, though other patterns can be used,as demonstrated in the disclosure of FIG. 19B, discussed below.

FIG. 19B depicts another aspect of the present disclosure, illustratingan installation sleeve section 1905, with primed numerals in FIG. 19Bidentifying the same components corresponding to the same numerals in anunprimed form in FIG. 19A. A plurality of weep holes 1918′ can be formedinto the sleeve wall 1908′ in the same manner discussed with regard tothe sleeve wall 1908 of FIG. 19A, except that FIG. 19B shows that theplurality of weep holes 1918′ can form a pattern different from thatdepicted in FIG. 19A. As shown in FIG. 19B, the plurality of weep holes1918′ can form a diagonal, or spiral, progression across the sleeve wall1908′. FIG. 19B also shows a disc member 1920, which can be comprised ofthe same electrolytic compound material comprising installation sleevesection 1905. Disc member 1920 can be used in place of the plate section1724 of base member 1722, shown in FIG. 17, to form a bottom retentionof the electrolytic fill within the outer chamber of a completedelectrical grounding system. Finally, FIG. 19B shows that a flange 1916′can be formed proximate the upper end 1906′ of the installation sleevesection 1900′, rather than proximate the lower end, as in FIG. 19A.

The composition of any installation sleeve constructed according to FIG.19A or 19B can, in various implementations, be a mixture of water, peatmoss, Attapulgite clay, electrolytic fill as described above, and carbonfibers. Peat moss, commercially available from suppliers such as HomeDepot, can be used because it has been found to be an effectiveelectrical conductor and possesses hydrophilic properties. Hydrophilicproperties can be desirable for promoting adhesion of peat moss togetherupon the addition of water. Attapulgite clay is named after Attapulgus,Ga., from which the clay is mined. A cell of Attapulgite clay iselongated, with a plurality of indentations formed along its length.Upon the introduction of water, water molecules can become lodged in theindentations, thus making Attapulgite clay an excellent substance forenhancing hydrophilic properties of the sleeve material resulting fromthe steps below. Those properties allow the Attapulgite clay to functionas an emulsifier such that Attapulgite clay promotes adhesion of severalsleeve material components together. However, the disclosure ofAttapulgite clay should not be considered limiting on the disclosure, asother clays or other materials with desirable hydrophilic properties canbe used in other aspects. The carbon fiber can enhance the sturdiness ofthe sleeves formed from the sleeve material.

In various aspects, the manufacture of the installation sleeve materialcan proceed according to the numbered steps below. In other aspects, theprecise measurements and time durations provided below should not beconsidered limiting on the present disclosure, and other measurements ordurations can be used in other aspects to manufacture the installationsleeves disclosed herein.

Step 1: Sift peat moss through standard window screen to remove twigs,and provide a uniform “powder” material.

Step 2: Grind the electrolytic fill in a commercial grinder, so that ithas a consistency approaching that of, for example, espresso coffee.

Step 3: Blend the ground electrolytic fill and the Attapulgite claytogether, then add the peat moss and blend, then add the carbon fiberand blend further. Continue blending until the mixture is completelyuniform.

Step 4: Add water gradually until desired consistency and uniformity isachieved. In various aspects, the weight of water can be about twice theweight of the dry ingredients after the desired consistency anduniformity is achieved. Blend thoroughly.

Step 5: Roll or extrude the blended material into sheets 20 cm wide, 46cm long, and 0.3 cm thick.

Step 6: Punch a line of 3 cm diameter holes into each sheet along thelongitudinal axis, spaced every 10 cm.

Step 7: Lay two strips of copper screening 3 cm by 45 cm above and belowthe punched holes.

Step 8: Brush on a coating of “slip,” which can be a watered-downversion of the sleeve material. Also called a slurry, slip is made bysuspending solids in water. Normally these are ceramic or mineral solidswith very fine particles, and can be kept in suspension using smallamounts of chemical compounds.

Step 9: Press another extruded sheet (without copper) onto theslip-coated sheet and ensure a complete bond.

Step 10: Wrap the material onto an inflated mandrel, using slip andpressure to join the seams.

Step 11: Assemble two additional sheets onto the inflated mandrel andslip-join the seams to the adjacent sheets.

Step 12: Mold a flange (of the shape discussed above with regard toFIGS. 19A and 19B) onto the top of the third sheet of material wrappedonto the mandrel. The flange can be formed with a mold pressed onto themandrel.

Step 13: Dry the mandrel-mounted sheets (now including the flange) in aheated chamber or room, generally for 2-3 hours.

Step 14: Deflate and remove the mandrel, placing the formed 60 cm-longsleeves, flange end up, vertically on drying racks with support rings toprevent sagging during drying.

Step 15: Forced air dry the sleeves for 24 hours, using more or lesstime depending on atmospheric conditions.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an installed electrical groundingsystem 2000 inserted within a hole 2002 formed in native soil 2003,shown in a sectional view, the electrical grounding system 2000comprising the electrode assembly 1700 illustrated in FIG. 17 and anarrangement of installation sleeve sections 1950 a, 1950 b constructedas shown in FIG. 19B, with part of sleeve section 1950 b broken away toexpose the electrode frame 1736. Installation sleeve sections 1950 a,1950 b can be stacked end-to-end in the manner described with regard toFIG. 19A. For ease of illustration, no weep holes are shown in theinstallation sleeve sections 1950 a, 1950 b, or in the hollow electrode1710, but it will be understood that weep holes, exemplified in FIG. 17at 1720, and in FIGS. 19A and 19B at 1918 and 1918′, respectively, arepresent in the hollow electrode 1710 and in the installation sleevesections 1950 a, 1950 b.

To fully install electrical grounding system 2000 at a grounding site,the hole 2002 can be dug or otherwise formed into the soil 2003 with atool, such as a driving rod, that permits determination of hole depthand thus, of soil depth available for electrical grounding. If more thanone electrical grounding system 2000 is going to be needed, the hole2002 can be formed or extended into a trench of predetermined lengthsuch as four feet, for two electrical grounding systems 2000. Next,based on that determination, ground member 1732 can be selected from aplurality of available ground members having different lengths. Theselected ground member 1732 can then be driven into soil 2003 beneaththe hole 2002. Next, the ground member 1732 is removably attached to theelectrode assembly 1700 by engagement of the externally-threaded upperend 1734 (shown in FIG. 18) with the internally-threaded lower basebushing 1730, in the manner discussed with regard to FIG. 17. One ormore installation sleeve sections, such as 1950 a, 1950 b, can then bepositioned into the hole 2002 so as to surround the electrode assembly1700, with the lowermost installation sleeve section 1950 a contactingthe base 1722 of the electrode assembly 1700 or otherwise contacting abottom of the hole 2002. An annular-shaped outer chamber 2004 canthereby be formed between the electrode wall exterior surface 1718 andthe inner surface of each sleeve wall of each installation sleevesection 1900′, such as inner surface 1912 a′ of sleeve wall 1950 a. Eachsuch sleeve section inner surface can then contact at least a portion ofthe electrode frame 1736 of the electrode assembly 1700. With theinstallation sleeve sections 1950 a,b installed as shown in FIG. 20,each sleeve section inner surface can contact at least the axial sectionof each electrode frame member 1738. The outer chamber 2004 can then befilled with electrolytic fill 1004 (FIG. 10). The electrode assembly1700 can then be electrically connected to the fault current source 11(FIG. 1) and, if needed, to one or more additional electrical groundingassemblies, in the manner discussed with regard to FIG. 1, with bondinglug 1646, attached to the exterior surface 1718, serving as the cableconnection for the electrode assembly 1700. The hole 2002 (or trench, ifmore than one electrical grounding system is used) can then bebackfilled with backfill material 1404. Only a partial backfilling isshown for ease of illustration, but it will be understood that backfillmaterial 1404 will be filled in the hole 2002 to a level just below theelevation of the bonding lugs 1646. A protective enclosure with labeling(reciting the words “Grounding System,” for instance), such as valve box2008, can then be positioned over the cap 1712 of the electrode assembly1700.

With the electrical grounding system 2000 installed as shown in FIG. 20,fault current is routed and dispersed not only in the manner discussedwith regard to FIG. 1, but also through the electrode frame 1736. Whenfault current travels through the electrode wall 1716, a portion of thatcurrent can be transmitted through each electrode frame member 1738.Since the axial section of each electrode frame member 1738 at leastpartially contacts the inner surface of a sleeve wall of eachinstallation sleeve section (such as inner surface 1912 a′), each framemember 1738 transmits fault current through each sleeve wall (such aswall 1908′ in FIG. 19B), and into the surrounding backfill material 1404which, in turn, disperses the transmitted fault current to thesurrounding native soil 2003.

Still referring to FIG. 20, the electrolytic properties of conductingmedia associated with the electrical grounding system 2000 can beenhanced or replenished. If electrolytic salt is inserted into the innerchamber of the hollow electrode 1710, the electrolytic salt can passfrom the inner chamber, through the weep holes 1720 (FIG. 17), and intothe electrolytic fill 1004 (FIG. 10) present in the outer chamber 2004.Electrolytic properties of the backfill material 1404 can likewise beaugmented. Due to the presence of the weep holes in each installationsleeve section (such at 1918′ in FIG. 19B), the electrolytic fill 1004can leach from the outer chamber 2004, through those weep holes 1918′,and into the backfill material 1404. The electrolytic properties of thenative soil 2003 beneath the base 1722 can also be enhanced. Due to thepresence of the apertures 1726 in the plate section 1724 (FIG. 17) ofthe base 1722, the electrolytic fill 1004 can leach from the outerchamber 2004, through each of those apertures 1726, and into the nativesoil 2003.

FIG. 21 illustrates an electrical grounding system 2100 reflecting amore rudimentary implementation than those discussed above. Referencenumerals used in this FIG. 21 description that were previously recitedin descriptions of various preceding figures above identify componentsidentical to those described with regard to such preceding figures.System 2100 comprises a containment box 2102 constructed of any suitablenonconductive material, such as plywood, sitting atop a native soilground level. The sides 2102 a,b,c,d of the containment box 2102 definean interior space, with an electrically conductive column 2104 centrallypositioned therein. The electrically conductive column 2104 can beconstructed substantially identically to either of the tube sections 76,78 of FIG. 4, but having an axial length coterminous with the height ofthe containment box 2102. The electrically conductive column 2104 canalso be constructed as a 5-inch diameter copper tube, though othersuitable conductive materials can be used. Carbon fiber fabric 72, showncontacting and wrapped around the electrically conductive column 2104,can have a length identical to axial length of the electricallyconductive column 2104. A ground rod 802, centrally disposed withininternal space defined by the electrically conductive column 2104,extends into native soil to a depth such as, for example, two feet.Electrolytic fill 1004, which can be in paste form, occupies the annularspace between an exterior surface of the ground rod 802 and the innersurface of the electrically conductive column 2104. An acorn clamp 820can be attached to an upper portion of the ground rod 802, in the mannerdescribed with regard to FIG. 8, above. Damp peat moss 2106 can occupythe space defined between the box sides 2102 a,b,c,d of containment box2102 and the exterior face 75 of the carbon fiber fabric 72. The damppeat moss 2106, as mentioned above with regard to FIGS. 19A and 19B, isan effective electrical conductor and possesses hydrophilic properties.

Regarding electrical connections to the electrical grounding system2100, a column lug 84 can be attached to the electrically conductivecolumn 2104 by any suitable means, such as riveting, that permitselectrical communication between the electrically conductive column 2104and the column lug 84. A fault current supply cable 914 connects to afault current source (not shown) at one end, with its opposite endcontacting the ground rod 802 and held in place by the acorn clamp 820.A jumper lead 2108 can be received in the column lug 84 at one end, withits other end also contacting the ground rod 802 and held in place bythe acorn clamp 820. In other implementations, the fault current supplycable 914 and the jumper lead 2108 can comprise a single line. Faultcurrent received by the ground rod 802 from the fault current supplycable 914 is dispersed both axially downwardly and radially outwardlyfrom the ground rod 802. The portion of the received fault current thatis dispersed axially downwardly travels down through the ground rod 802and into the native soil located beneath the lower, embedded end of theground rod 802. The portion of the received fault current that isdispersed radially outwardly from the ground rod 802 travels radiallythrough the electrolytic fill 1004, whereafter it is further dispersedby the outer face 75 of the carbon fiber fabric 72 into the damp peatmoss 2106, which conducts the current radially away from outer face 75.Thus, even a rudimentary implementation of a grounding system accordingto an aspect of the present disclosure can disperse fault current inboth axial and radial directions, with the radial dispersionsignificantly increased by the action of the carbon fiber fabric 72 inconjunction with the electrolytic fill 1004 and the damp peat moss 2106.

Although several aspects have been disclosed in the foregoingspecification, it is understood by those skilled in the art that manymodifications and other aspects will come to mind to which thisdisclosure pertains, having the benefit of the teaching presented in theforegoing description and associated drawings. It is thus understoodthat the disclosure is not limited to the specific aspects disclosedhereinabove, and that many modifications and other aspects are intendedto be included within the scope of any claims that can recite thedisclosed subject matter.

One should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,”“could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, orotherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intendedto convey that certain aspects include, while other aspects do notinclude, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditionallanguage is not generally intended to imply that features, elementsand/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular aspectsor that one or more particular aspects necessarily comprise logic fordeciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether thesefeatures, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed inany particular aspect.

It should be emphasized that the above-described aspects are merelypossible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clearunderstanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Any processdescriptions or blocks in flow diagrams should be understood asrepresenting modules, segments, or portions of code which comprise oneor more executable instructions for implementing specific logicalfunctions or steps in the process, and alternate implementations areincluded in which functions may not be included or executed at all, canbe executed out of order from that shown or discussed, includingsubstantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on thefunctionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonablyskilled in the art of the present disclosure. Many variations andmodifications can be made to the above-described aspect(s) withoutdeparting substantially from the spirit and principles of the presentdisclosure. Further, the scope of the present disclosure is intended tocover any and all combinations and sub-combinations of all elements,features, and aspects discussed above. All such modifications andvariations are intended to be included herein within the scope of thepresent disclosure, and all possible claims to individual aspects orcombinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by thepresent disclosure.

That which is claimed is:
 1. An electrical grounding system, comprising:an electrically conductive column configured for communication with afault current source, wherein the electrically conductive columncomprises an open-ended copper tube; carbon fiber fabric assembled ontoat least a portion of the electrically conductive column, the carbonfiber fabric having a conductive relationship with least a portion ofthe electrically conductive column; and a salt replenishment tubeconfigured for attachment to a ground member, the salt replenishmenttube having a tube wall defining an interior surface and an exteriorsurface, the interior surface of the tube wall defining a tube chamber,wherein the tube wall defines a weep hole extending from the exteriorsurface of the tube wall, through the tube wall, and into the tubechamber; wherein upon installation of the electrically conductive columnin a hole into which a ground member has been driven, a column chamberis defined between an interior surface of the electrically conductivecolumn, the exterior surface of the salt replenishment tube, and anexterior surface of the ground member, and wherein the electricalgrounding system further comprises electrolytic fill disposed within thecolumn chamber, the electrolytic fill comprising a material configuredto conduct at least a portion of any fault current received by theground member radially outwardly from the ground member, though thecolumn chamber, and to the carbon fiber fabric.
 2. The electricalgrounding system of claim 1, wherein the carbon fiber fabric comprises aplain weave fabric.
 3. The electrical grounding system of claim 1,wherein the electrically conductive column has an exterior surface, across-section of the electrically conductive column defining a perimeterof the exterior surface; and the carbon fiber fabric surrounds theperimeter.
 4. The electrical grounding system of claim 1, wherein theelectrically conductive column defines a column wall and a fill holeformed into the column wall, and wherein the electrically conductivecolumn is configured for placement into native soil in a horizontalposition.
 5. The electrical grounding system of claim 1, furthercomprising electrolytic salt disposed within the tube chamber, whereinthe weep hole is configured to provide a passageway for the electrolyticsalt, during use of the system, to leach from the tube chamber and intoa column chamber at least partially defined by the electricallyconductive column.
 6. The electrical grounding system of claim 1,wherein the electrolytic fill comprises a composition of bentonite clay,copper sulfate, gypsum, and magnesium sulfate, with bentonite claycomprising at least 50% of the composition.
 7. The electrical groundingsystem of claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive column has anend, the electrical grounding system further comprising: a bus barcomprising a first bus bar connector, a second bus bar connector, and athird bus bar connector, the bus bar electrically interconnecting eachof the bus bar connectors to one another; wherein the bus barelectrically communicates with the electrically conductive column andwith the fault current source.
 8. The electrical grounding system ofclaim 7, further comprising: a first column lug, a second column lug,and a third column lug, each of the column lugs attached to, and inelectrical communication with, the electrically conductive columnproximate the end; a first lead, one end of the first lead communicatingwith the first column lug and another end of the first leadcommunicating with the first bus bar connector; a second lead, thesecond lead threaded through the second bus bar connector, one end ofthe second lead communicating with the second column lug, and anotherend of the second lead communicating with the third column lug; and aground member clamp engageable with an upper portion of a ground member;wherein the third bus bar connector and the ground member clamp areconfigured to permit a fault current supply cable to contact the groundmember clamp, to be routed through the third bus bar connector, and tothen exit the electrical grounding system.
 9. The electrical groundingsystem of claim 8, further comprising an enclosure positioned over theelectrically conductive column, the enclosure having a lower rimdefining an opening extending axially upwardly, the opening providing apassage configured to allow the fault current supply cable to be routedto the ground member clamp, through the third bus bar connector, andback out of the enclosure to another electrical grounding system;wherein the bus bar is attached to an inner surface of the enclosure.10. The electrical grounding system of claim 1, further comprising asupport lattice positioned circumferentially between the electricallyconductive column and at least a portion of the carbon fiber fabric. 11.The electrical grounding system of claim 10, wherein the support latticecomprises: an upper ring positioned circumferentially around one portionof the electrically conductive column; a lower ring axially spaced fromthe upper ring, the lower ring positioned circumferentially aroundanother portion of the electrically conductive column; and an elongatedmember defining an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surfaceof the elongated member connected to the upper ring proximate one end ofthe elongated member, and the inner surface of the elongated memberconnected to the lower ring proximate another end of the elongatedmember.
 12. The electrical grounding system of claim 1, wherein theopen-ended copper tube comprises an upper tube section, and wherein theelectrically conductive column further comprises: a lower tube section;and a spine having opposed ends, one end of the spine connected to theupper tube section, and another end of the spine connected to the lowertube section; wherein the spine electrically interconnects the uppertube section to the lower tube section.
 13. The electrical groundingsystem of claim 12, further comprising a support lattice positionedcircumferentially around the upper tube section and the lower tubesection internally of the carbon fiber fabric.
 14. The electricalgrounding system of claim 13, wherein the support lattice comprises: anupper ring positioned circumferentially around the upper tube section; alower ring positioned circumferentially around the lower tube section;and an elongated member defining an inner surface and an outer surface,the inner surface of the elongated member connected to the upper ringproximate one end of the elongated member, and the inner surface of theelongated member connected to the lower ring proximate another end ofthe elongated member; whereby the carbon fiber fabric contacts at leasta portion of the outer surface of the elongated member, at least aportion of the upper tube section, and at least a portion of the lowertube section.
 15. The electrical grounding system of claim 1, whereinthe open-ended copper tube comprises a first electrically conductivetube having a first end, and wherein the electrically conductive columnfurther comprises a second electrically conductive tube, the secondelectrically conductive tube having a second end in electricalcommunication with the first end.
 16. The electrical grounding system ofclaim 15, wherein the first end is inwardly tapered, the second end isoutwardly tapered, and the second end is press fit over the first end.17. The electrical grounding system of claim 16, further comprising: anupper connection lug connected to the first electrically conductive tubeproximate the first end; a lower connection lug connected to the secondelectrically conductive tube proximate the second end; and a cablemember electrically interconnecting the upper connection lug and thelower connection lug.
 18. An electrical grounding system kit,comprising: a hollow electrode comprising an open-ended electricallyconductive copper tube configured for communication with a fault currentsource, and carbon fiber fabric assembled onto at least a portion of theopen-ended electrically conductive copper tube; a predetermined quantityof electrolytic fill; and a bus bar comprising at least two bus barconnectors electrically interconnected to one another.
 19. Theelectrical grounding system kit of claim 18, further comprising: a firstlug, a second lug, and a third lug attached to and in electricalcommunication with the open-ended electrically conductive copper tubeproximate an end of the open-ended electrically conductive copper tube;a first lead attached at one end to the first lug; and a second lead,the second lead threaded through one of the bus bar connectors, one endof the second lead connected to the second lug, and another end of thesecond lead connected to the third lug.
 20. The electrical groundingsystem kit of claim 18, further comprising a salt replenishment tubeassembly positioned inside the hollow electrode during shipment of theelectrical grounding system kit, the salt replenishment tube assemblycomprising: a salt replenishment tube having opposed ends and a tubewall defining an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interiorsurface defining a tube chamber, wherein the tube wall defines a weephole extending from the exterior surface of the tube wall, through thetube wall, and into the tube chamber; electrolytic salt disposed withinthe tube chamber; a cap received on each end of the salt replenishmenttube to retain the electrolytic salt within the tube chamber; andwater-soluble tape placed over the weep hole, the water-soluble tapeconfigured to prevent escape of the electrolytic salt out of the tubechamber through the weep hole during shipment; whereby the saltreplenishment tube assembly is configured such that, during use of theelectrical grounding system, the water-soluble tape dissolves over timeto allow the electrolytic salt to leach from the tube chamber, throughthe weep hole, and into space external to the salt replenishment tube.21. The electrical grounding system kit of claim 18, further comprisinga container containing a predetermined quantity of bentonite claygranules.
 22. The electrical grounding system kit of claim 18, furthercomprising a ground member clamp.
 23. The electrical grounding systemkit of claim 18, further comprising an inter-system bonding terminationblock.
 24. An electrical grounding system, comprising: an electricallyconductive column configured for communication with a fault currentsource; a carbon fiber layer in conductive relationship with least aportion of the electrically conductive column; and a salt replenishmenttube configured for positioning within the electrically conductivecolumn, the salt replenishment tube having a tube wall defining anexterior surface; wherein the electrically conductive column defines acolumn wall and a fill hole formed into the column wall, and wherein theelectrically conductive column is configured for placement into nativesoil in a horizontal position; wherein upon installation of theelectrically conductive column in a hole into which a ground member hasbeen driven, a column chamber is defined between an interior surface ofthe electrically conductive column, the exterior surface of the saltreplenishment tube, and an exterior surface of the ground member, andwherein the electrical grounding system further comprises electrolyticfill disposed within the column chamber, the electrolytic fillcomprising a material configured to conduct at least a portion of anyfault current received by the ground member radially outwardly from theground member, though the column chamber, and to the carbon fiber layer.25. The electrical grounding system of claim 24, wherein theelectrolytic fill comprises a composition of bentonite clay, coppersulfate, gypsum, and magnesium sulfate, with bentonite clay comprisingat least 50% of the composition.
 26. An electrical grounding system,comprising: an electrically conductive column configured forcommunication with a fault current source; and a carbon fiber layer inconductive relationship with least a portion of the electricallyconductive column; and a bus bar comprising a first bus bar connector, asecond bus bar connector, and a third bus bar connector, the bus barelectrically interconnecting each of the bus bar connectors to oneanother; wherein the bus bar electrically communicates with theelectrically conductive column and with the fault current source. 27.The electrical grounding system of claim 26, further comprising: a firstcolumn lug, a second column lug, and a third column lug, each of thecolumn lugs attached to, and in electrical communication with, theelectrically conductive column proximate the end; a first lead, one endof the first lead communicating with the first column lug and anotherend of the first lead communicating with the first bus bar connector; asecond lead, the second lead threaded through the second bus barconnector, one end of the second lead communicating with the secondcolumn lug, and another end of the second lead communicating with thethird column lug; and a ground member clamp engageable with an upperportion of a ground member; wherein the third bus bar connector and theground member clamp are configured to permit a fault current supplycable to contact the ground member clamp, to be routed through the thirdbus bar connector, and to then exit the electrical grounding system. 28.The electrical grounding system of claim 27, further comprising anenclosure positioned over the electrically conductive column, theenclosure having a lower rim defining an opening extending axiallyupwardly, the opening providing a passage configured to allow the faultcurrent supply cable to be routed to the ground member clamp, throughthe third bus bar connector, and back out of the enclosure to anotherelectrical grounding system; wherein the bus bar is attached to an innersurface of the enclosure.
 29. An electrical grounding system kit,comprising: a hollow electrode comprising an electrically conductivetube configured for communication with a fault current source, and acarbon fiber layer assembled onto at least a portion of the electricallyconductive tube; a bus bar comprising at least two bus bar connectorselectrically interconnected to one another; a first lug, a second lug,and a third lug attached to and in electrical communication with theelectrically conductive tube proximate an end of the electricallyconductive tube; a first lead attached at one end to the first lug; anda second lead, the second lead threaded through one of the bus barconnectors, one end of the second lead connected to the second lug, andanother end of the second lead connected to the third lug.
 30. Theelectrical grounding system kit of claim 29, further comprising a saltreplenishment tube assembly positioned inside the hollow electrodeduring shipment of the electrical grounding system kit, the saltreplenishment tube assembly comprising: a salt replenishment tube havingopposed ends and a tube wall defining an interior surface and anexterior surface, the interior surface defining a tube chamber, whereinthe tube wall defines a weep hole extending from the exterior surface ofthe tube wall, through the tube wall, and into the tube chamber;electrolytic salt disposed within the tube chamber; a cap received oneach end of the salt replenishment tube to retain the electrolytic saltwithin the tube chamber; and water-soluble tape placed over the weephole, the water-soluble tape configured to prevent escape of theelectrolytic salt out of the tube chamber through the weep hole duringshipment; whereby the salt replenishment tube assembly is configuredsuch that, during use of the electrical grounding system, thewater-soluble tape dissolves over time to allow the electrolytic salt toleach from the tube chamber, through the weep hole, and into spaceexternal to the salt replenishment tube.
 31. The electrical groundingsystem kit of claim 30, further comprising a container containing apredetermined quantity of bentonite clay granules.